Sri Aurobindo describes the Power of Mahalakshmi as that which embodies an abundance of sweetness, harmonies, grace, charm and tenderness; a Power that poses an irresistible attraction to the heart that looks upon her, even for a fleeting second. It is an aspect of this Power of Mahalakshmi that we have included here as our theme for the month of March -Money or Material Wealth.
How does one view money which is in one’s hands? What is this money used for? Does it acquire for one all of one’s heart’s desires? Does it make one feel powerful? Does it assure one of security? Is it one which helps one get by in life, to live, to survive? Is the money used for a life consciously planned? Is part of the money one acquires, besides being used to ensure one’s survival, channeled into nobler ends, for the realization of higher ideals? Or is this money used integrally for a life given to higher aims, without any reservation?
If we think simply enough through the maze of events that is shaping the unfolding saga of financial crisis around the world, one will find that at the root of the whole issue of these failing financial structures (which has inevitably thrown the world into chaos many times over), is individual psychology at work feeding the collective psychology. At the root of the problem could well be an untamed ego and greed and an unparalleled urge for power and an exaggerated hunger for security – all forces from the lower nature.
If at some point, the kind of relationship we have with money thus far gives rise to a sense of disgust, a sense of incompleteness, a sense of discomfort as if one is missing something very important in life while in pursuit of this power of wealth, then it is time one puts oneself on the dock of self-examination and get to the root of the problem in one’s own life.
Are there amongst us those who are averse to the touch of money and would rather push it away for all the trouble the money power is foreseen to bring? If so, then too it is time to climb that dock of self-examination. The reason for this aversion though opposite to the earlier case of a fervent desire for money, stems from the same root of desire, this time the desire to be not acquainted with money.
In a timeless piece of writing, The Mother, Sri Aurobindo has succinctly referred to money power as the rightful possession of Mahalakshmi, and those with money are its custodians and not possessors; that the money power can serve the adverse forces for Asuric activities, prolonging the reign of the ego or it could serve the divine purpose, used for a spiritual cause and life on earth.
He stresses that it is timely that money is seized from the asuric forces and re-directed to the Divine, for divine works. Inevitably, we seem to be at the cross roads. Only, it seems, we can be instrumental in making a difference; in putting the money force at the service of The Divine.
When we switch our mental framework even a little, to start with, to think of ourselves as custodians of money force, rather than its possessors, and live out this thought into an attitude, and an action, a significant change will inevitably come about in the world scenario. All will depend once again on our aim, our highest aim in life, and accordingly, money will find its place in our own and collective lives.
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